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Burnley 1, Posh 1 - Hot Posh denied at the death
Paul Taylor slips past a Burnley defender. Photo: David Lowndes/Peterborough ET
Championship report: On a day so cold the brass monkeys stayed inside, Posh delivered a display to warm the most freezing of hearts.
This must be what football in the Arctic Premier League is like. A wind with more bite than Hannibal Lectar was accompanied by a blizzard so strong even Captain Scott would have though twice about venturing outside.
And yet Posh showed their intent and desire by spurning the understandable opportunity to wear gloves and by leaving the player with the most natural insulation on the substitutes’ bench, Half the team even wore short-sleeve shirts, a decision of impressive macho-ness.
Of course radical fashion statements don’t earn points, but 45 minutes of passing excellence followed by 45 minutes of defensive bravery did gain Posh a precious draw at the home of in-form opposition.
Match details: Championship match at turf Moor, Saturday, 4th February 2012
BURNLEY 1
POSH 1
GOALS: Posh - Taylor (12 mins).
Burnley – Rodrigues (87 mins).
CAUTIONS: None.
REFEREE: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear) 7
ATTENDANCE: 13,258
========
It was almost so much better though and frustration was as evident as delight when the final whistle blew. The failure to build on Paul Taylor’s splendid 12th minute strike and the lateness of a high-class equaliser from Burnley top scorer Jay Rodriguez saw to that.
Posh really were impressive in the first-half. A midfield diamond which had been misfiring of late was still in place, but Posh passed the ball so well in central areas, they dominated possession and often threatened mayhem, until they reached the edge of the opposition penalty area.
George Boyd found an abundance of space, recalled striker David Ball was an excellent link to the forwards, right-back Mark Little marauded forward at every opportunity while Tommy Rowe was at his busy best, and yet a decent final ball was again hard to find.
Taylor created and scored his own goal by beating home centre-back David Edgar to a bouncing ball, advancing into the area and delivering a classy finish from 16 yards. Four minutes later Ball moved smoothly into the penalty area, but saw his left-foot shot strike the inside of a post and roll into the arms of Burnley ‘keeper Lee Grant as Boyd waited to pounce.
That turned out to be a crucial moment. Posh played attractively for the rest of the half without testing Grant as Boyd snatched a shot wide after a promising Rowe run and Ball failed to find any of three unmarked players in the Burnley penalty area when played clear down the right wing.
The home side had their moments with Charlie Austin twice heading straight at Joe Lewis from close range and the Posh ‘keeper also dealt well with some well-struck shots that took wicked bounces off the uneven turf.
Burnley had played far from fluently, but the second-half was a completely different story. The Clarets pressed Posh in possession, sped the ball out wide and created so much pressure, Posh always looked on the verge of collapse.
That they didn’t was a credit to them. They had moments of good fortune as the shots that weren’t blocked, were usually deflected into the side-netting or into the grateful arms of Lewis.
Posh also survived a massive penalty shout when Mark Little stopped a ferocious drive from Ross Wallace with his arms above his head. Referee Colin Webster, one of the old-school officials who do their best to stay out of the limelight, indicated the ball had struck Little’s head which if it had been the case would have knocked the full-back out for the count.
That incident arrived five minutes from time and appeared to confirm that this would be Posh’s day, but within a couple of minutes, Craig Alcock gave possession away in the Burnley half, the ball was fed to Rodriguez 45 yards from goal and he ran diagonally then straight leaving Grant McCann and Little in his wake, before planting the ball expertly past Lewis.
That was tough on Alcock who had defended quite brilliantly alongside the outstanding double act of Ryan Bennett and Gaby Zakuani. Rowe also made numerous clearances from set-pieces and interceptions in open play.
Any thoughts that Bennett’s impending move to Norwich City would restrict his commitment were dismissed by a superb performamce. This was the weather and the opposition to protect yourself a bit, but Bennett was as hard as he was stylish.
Burnley did spurn opportunities during their second-half dominance. Captain Chris McCann headed over when unmarked at a set-piece and also volleyed wide from eight yards, a feat matched by Rodriguez after a great surge down the left wing by Wallace.
Even after the equaliser Wallace found the time and space to crash a shot against the legs of Lewis, but Posh saw out the final few minutes fairly comfortably and even ventured forward to win the only corner they achieved in 90 minutes.
A good day in hindsight then which even a nightmare eight-hour return road trip couldn’t spoil.
Add your comments below, email alan.swann@jpress.co.uk or Tweet @etposh using hashtag #pufc
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Full match report, photos and reaction in Monday’s ET Sport
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 27 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
GNAT
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:31 AM#19 and 21. Probably short on comments cos not many Posh fans made the journey cos of the weather. I will only comment on a match if I have actually seen it, although there may be a few that comment on the match from what theyve heard on the radio, or maybe neither. The only thing I can say is that it looked poor defending for our goal but great finishing, and poor defending for their goal but great finishing. Apart from that, alot of the papers seem to make Joe man of the match. As I wrote last week, he also kept us in the game at Forest and Leicester, so he can do it if his head is right and people keep off his back. I am not a fan of his, but credit where credit is due. Good overall result, and to be honest, looking at West Ham on Telly at the weekend, they are no world beaters. Full house, so should be good atmosphere. lets see whether Posh stewards will finally do their jobs and keep any West Ham fans who do not behave out of the home areas. You have been warned . Keep the faith. Up the posh . Lads looking excellent in training !.
feduppete
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:49 PMMcCann is not interested in tackling anybody. Surely you have noticed by now.
Danhar
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 09:19 PMGood point yesterday, I think we would all have settled for that before the game started. But i must admit can anyone tell me why McCann just jogged all the way along with Rodriguez and not put at least a foot in to try and stop him running from his own half nearly?
Roger LeChat
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 08:12 PM#21..We've been short of Borian all season, we must be doing OK....UTP
It'sPOSHupNorth
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 04:54 PMOooops, shudda read their equaliser
It'sPOSHupNorth
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 04:53 PM@18 - I can assure you that had it not been for Lewis yesterday we would have lost. Had Ball not hit the post though we'd have won possibly. Their winner came from Alcock giving possesion away to Rodriguez, Tunners not getting a foot in & Little being turned. Second half we gave the ball away again too much but hey, it was an improvement on Pompey & Seagull's games. UTP.
Growler
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 04:34 PMFantastic, roll on Saturday. @19, yes we are short of posters this week because we gained a point, it seems some people only want to come on when POSH lose and have a moan. But credit where it's due we showed in first half what we are capable of. Lewis had a good game and was kept busy, I wonder if he's feeling tired!
This is a rubbish website
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:56 PMGutted by the late goal but I would have taken a draw before the game. Well done to all the fans that made the journey especially more so because of the weather. West Ham here we come. UTP
uptheposh69
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 01:21 PMWe seem to be short of comments this week? Well done boys great point. On another day George wud have got the rebound off the post from Balls shot . Keep going and we will be fine UTP
whittlesey witler
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 12:57 PMThe time when posh was winning was when Lewis was injured
HanslopePosh
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:45 AMThank God, a point to stop the rot! Interesting that Tomlin was dropped. Maybe Fergie is finally picking on form (Lewis aside, although he had a good game yesterday apparently)! Well done lads and well done to those fans who made it there and hopefully back safely. Can't wait for what will be a very hard game against the Hammers next week. Let's sing our hearts out to get behind the lads (please no booing players!). UTP
feduppete
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:01 AMUnable to hang on for 3 points; yet again we concede late on. Why was Rodriguez allowed to run unchallenged for 70 yds to score with not a tackle in sight. Reminded me of Portsmouth's third goal. Where's Weslowski when we need him. He was not afraid to tackle in the area. Remember MK in the play off. Deemed not good enough yet we keep worse defenders. If we let the Hammers run at us unchallenged they will murder us. Well played Joe. See you can do it. UTP
gilroy
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 09:48 AMwell done lads and well done travelling fans.
It'sPOSHupNorth
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:03 PM@13 - I just got home now. 6 hours to get from Burnley to just the other side of Leeds. CRACKERS. It took over 3 hours to get out of Burnley as they'd decided to grit at 5pm! Come On!! It didn't take Sceptic Peg to forecast that snowfall!!! Thanks to a lot of locals who at various points up various hills gave me a push.....Footballing wise, great 1st half & we should have had them dead & buried after half an hour. Instead, we looked a different team 2nd half, but I think a point was a fair result; I'd have taken that at 3pm. Well done lads, one more point to safety.
PoshMan
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:47 PMHope all posh fans get home safely.abandoned my car and train still hasnt got to manchester 4 hrs after i left turf moor!
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